Pipe coating apparatus



Jan. 15, 1935. AI G, PERKlNS f 1,988,329

PIPE COATING APPARATUS Jan. 15, l1935. A. G. PERKINS 1,988,329

PIPE coATING APPARATUS Filed May 13. 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Illl!I l IIIMK n NAW ...NN NN m QW. kun

A. G. PERKINS Jan. 15, 1935.

PIPE COATING APPARATUS Filed May 13, 1.933 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Jan. l5, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT CFFICE K VLasagne i PIPE coA'rrNG APPARATUS Albert G. Perkins, Warsaw, N. Y. Application May 1s, 193s, serial No. stoms 19 claims. A(ci. zs-ss) This invention relates to improvements in pipe While my apparatus may be employed for coatcoating apparatus for applying a protective coating different kinds `of work, it has been primarily ing or lining to the inner walls of steel pipe lines. designed for treating the inner walls of steel pipe One of its objects is the provision of a reliable lines with a protective coating, such for example,

6 elcient apparatus of this character which is deas' a plastic-like material as concrete. To this 5 signed to travel through the pipe line and as it end, the apparatus consists generally of a cardoes so automatically apply an even and durable riage which is adapted to be propelled through the coating of plastic material onto the pipe wall by pipe line and which carries the working parts of y centrifugal force and at the same timev trowel- .the apparatus, such working parts comprising esl ing th`e coating so applied. sentially a hopper or container for the coating 10 yAnother object of the invention is to provide material having a conduit or cylindrical feedv simple and effective troweling means which are so chamber connected therewith; means for condesignedV and constructed as to be areadily conveying the material from the hopper and through trolled from the operating end of the machine the conduit; a dispensing or discharge head into l to bring the trowels into and out of engagement which the material is delivered from the conduit l5 with the pipe wall. and from which it is discharged by centrifugal A further object is to provide a coating appaforce onto the pipe wall; means for'troweling the ratus of this character having, in combinationV material after it has been applied to the pipe wall with the plastic applying means, a means for apincluding actuating means for shifting the trow- 20 plying a curing fluid to the coated wall. els into and out of engagement with the pipe wall; 20

A still further object of the invention is the means for delivering onto the coated material a provision of positive and emcient means for guidfluid spray having curative properties; and means ing the apparatus through the pipe line and main-l for guiding the machine in a predetermined course taining it in a pre-set course. through the pipe line, whereby the traction wheels Other features of the invention reside in the of the machine can clear any obstructions, such 25 construction and arrangement of parts hereinas seams, rivets, etc., present in the pipe line and after described, and particularly pointed outin whereby the machine willy travel in a pre-set the appended claims. course without the attention of the operator.

In the accompanying drawingsz- Referring now to the drawings, 10 indicates a Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved section of the steel pipe line through which my 30 coating apparatus, the same being shown within apparatus is designed Ato travel for treating or a pipe line for treating the interior wall therecoating'the inner wall thereof with a covering of of with a protective coating. Figure 2 isa rear concrete or like plastic or semi-solid material. end view of the apparatus arranged within the The carriage of the apparatus, which carries its pipe. Figure 3 is a front end view of theA same working parts, may be yof' any appropriate con- 35 likewise arranged within the pipe. Figure 4 is struction, that shown in the drawings consisting an enlarged, central longitudinal section of the'v of a structural steel frame 11 provided at one end apparatus showing the same in operation in a with traction or supporting reels 12 and at its pipe line. Figure 5 is an enlarged transverse secopposite end witha steering wheel or caster 13 40 tion taken substantially in the plane of line 5 5,v mounted on a swiveling fork 14 suitably support- 40 Figure 4, and Showing. the retractable trUWel ed centrally of the frame. Motion is transmitted mechanism. Figure 6 iS 8. View Similar t0 Figure to the traction wheels from an electricmotor l5 3, but showing the machine in a pre-set p0 ition mounted on the carriage-frame, the drive from for traveling through the pipe line with its ra-cthe motor consisting, for example, of a chain tion wheels at one side of the vertical center plane drive 16 to a, counterv shaft 17 and thence by a 45 of the pipe line. Figure '7 is a fragmentary, top worm 1s and worm wheel 19 to the axle 2o of the plan view of the means for guiding the machine traction wheels, a speed-reducing transmission v through the pipe wall. Figure 8 is a detail view 21 of any appropriate design being interposed beof one of the trowel actuating rocker elements. tween the motor and the chain drive for the pur Figure 9 is a plan view of the trowel-actuating pose of propelling the carriage through the pipe 50A control lever and associated parts. Figure 10 is a at diierent speeds and thereby govern the thicksectional view showing a modified arrangement ness of the coating material applied to the pipe of the fluid spray element. wall. For the purpose of this description, the Similar characters of reference indicate corretraction wheels 12 may be considered as mounted 53 sponding parts throughout the several views. at the rear end of the machine and the steering 55 wheel 13 arranged at the front end of the machine.

Mounted on the carriage-frame 11 is a feed hopper or container 22 for the coating material, and communicating vwith this hopper is a feed conduit, chamber or passage 23 which is disposed lengthwise and centrally of the machine and approximately axially of the pipe. Extending through this hopper and its communicating conduit is a tubular shaft 24 which is journaled at one end in the end wall of the hopper and at its oppo-4 site end in a closure plate or plug 25 fitted in the rear end of the conduit 23. Applied to this shaft is a screw conveyor 26 or like feed element which forces the material through the hopper and its communicating conduit 23. Thisscrew conveyor shaft is driven at a comparatively slow speed by the motor 15, as, for example, by a driven shaft 27 and suitable speed-reducing gearing 28, 29.

The means for dispensing or discharging the coating material by centrifugal force and impacting it onto the pipe wall is preferably constructed as folloWs:-

At its rear end or discharge end the feed conduit 23 is provided with an annular row of discharge ports 30 which may be disposed in a more or less tangential fashion to permit the ready.

discharge of the material from the conduit. Surrounding the rear end of the conduit and in concentric spaced relation about the discharge ports 30 is a revolving tubular member 31 which may be journaled in suitable bearings 32 applied to the rear end of the carriage-frame 11. Formed between the ported end of the conduit 23 and the revolving member 31 is an annular chamber 33 into which the material is directed from the discharge ports and from which it is discharged onto the pipe wall. For effecting the discharge of the material from this chamber onto the pipe wall, a plurality of radial discharge nozzles, jets or pipes 34 are provided which are disposed in more or less contiguous relation about the tubular member 31 and revolve therewith at a comparatively high speed, whereby the plastic-like material is discharged from these jets in comparatively thin sheets or streams with the result that it is impacted against and distributed uniformly and evenly over the pipe wall. A suitable closure ring 35 may be applied to the rear end of the chamber between the feed conduit 23 and the tubular member 31, and air inlets 36 are provided which open into the chamber 33 for the purpose of delivering air thereto, the air being drawn into the same by the centrifugal force created by the revolving jet-carrying member 31 and acting to agitate the coating material and to discharge it from the jets in the form of a stream-like mass. The tubular member 31 which carries the revolving jets 34 may be rotated from the motor 15 through the medium of a belt and pulley 37. For the purpose of keeping the coating material at its proper consistency and for directing it outwardly through the discharge ports 30, the rear end of shaft 24 has blades or paddles 38 thereon.

The troweling mechanism for smoothing out the coating material after it has been applied to the pipe wall preferably consists of two oppositely revolving units constructed as follows:-

Each of these troweling units are identical in construction, one being associated with a revolving member 39 which rotates in one direction and the other being associated with' a revolving member 40 which rotates in the opposite direction, the revolving member 39 being connected to a tubular shaft 41 extending through the screw-conveyor shaft 24 andthe companion member 4 0 is applied to a tubular shaft 42 which is telescoped within the companion shaft 41.' The shafts 41 and 42 are driven by the driven shaft 27 through the medium of suitable gearing 43, 44 and 45, 46.- respectively. Inasmuch as the trowel units themselves are identical, a description of one will sulce for both, each unit preferably consisting of diametrically-disposed radial arms 47 applied to the revolving member 39 or 40 and pivotally mounted at 48 on each of these arms is avertically swinging trowel-carrying lever- 49 to'which is secured a trowel 50 which may be somewhat curved, as shown in Figure 5, so that its convex outer surface bears against the coating material on the pipe. For the purpose of adjusting the vtrowel-carrying levers to accommodate pipes of varying diameters, the arms 47 may be provided with a series of openings 51 for receiving the corresponding pivots 48 of said levers. Springs 52 between the levers 49 and the adjoining portions of the arms 4'( serve to constantly urge the trowels into yielding engagement with the pipe wall,

these springs being adjustably connected to the levers so as to create the proper tension thereon and'accordingly exert the proper pressure on the material applied to the pipe wall. To accommodate the trowel to any unevenness of thepipewall, such as produced by rivet heads, it may be cut or slit in the direction of its length to provide a series of spring-tongues 53 whereby different sections of the trowel may yield in accordance with their y encountering uneven areas on the pipe wall.V

Means are also provided for shifting the trowels into and out of engagement with the pipe wall, and for this purpose I- preferably provide means associated with each trowel unit for simultaneously controlling them from the front endor operators station of the machine. To this end, I provide cam and leverage means for swinging the levers 49 about their fulcrums to bring the passing through longitudinal slots 59 formed in the diametrically opposite wallsof said shaft'42, asseen in Figures 4 and 5, and the' ends of these slots limiting the axial movement of the shaft 58 and the conical drums 54, 55. The shaft 58 and drum-sleeve 56 are adapted to turn with the shaft 42 for this purpose the first-named shaft has iiat faces 60 which are adapted to be straddled and engaged by the forked pin 57 in the manner shown in Figure 5. The conical drum 54 is the actuating element for the trowel-levers associated with the revolvable member 39 while the companion drum is associated with the oppositely rotating member 40 and in this connection the drum 55 is flxed on the sleeve 56 to revolve therewith while the drum 54 is loosely mounted on said sleeve and free to turn independently thereof. Cooperating with these drums to be actuated thereby in response to the axial movement of the shaft 58, and in turn effect the movement of the trowel levers 49 toward andfrom the pipe wall, are rocker members 61 which are pivoted at 62 to the revolving member 39 or 40 to swing in a plane transversely 0f the pipewone arm of each 42 through the medium of the rocker having a roller 63 thereon which engages the surface of the corresponding conical drum, while the other arm thereof is connected by a link 64 with the companion trowel-carrying lever 49. The shiftable shaft 58 extends at its front end beyond the shaft 42 and is provided with a swivel thrust bearing block or collar 65 to which is connected a horizontally-swinging actuating lever 66 pivoted at 67 to an adjoining part of the carriage-frame. By this construction, when the actuating lever 66 is swung forwardly to shift the shaft 58 in the corresponding direction, the conical drums 54, 55 swing the rockers 61 in a direction to pull the corresponding levers 49 inwardly to withdraw their trowels 50 from engagement with the pipe wall. For the purpose of latching the parts in this position, the drumsare provided at their larger ends with annular grooves 68 into which the rocker rollers 63 are adapted vto seat and thereby prevent accidental displacement of the parts in the contracted positions of the trowels. Upon moving the lever 66 rearwardly or in the `opposite direction, the conical drums actuate the rockers in a directionl to project the levers 49 outwardly to bring their trowels into yielding engagement with thefpipe wall.

It is desirable when applying a coating of concrete to a pipe wall to also treat'the same with a curing fluid, such for example as asphaltum, which holds the moisture inthe concrete, and for this purpose the tubular shaft 58 serves to convey the asphaltum to one or more 'spray jets or nozzles 69 applied to the rear end of the said shaft 58` beyond the troweling mechanism, as seen in Figure 4. The front end of this tubular shaftis'connected by a flexible pipe '70 with a container 71 mounted on the carriage-frame and containing a supply of the fluid material. In practice air pressure may be exerted on this uid to direct it toward the spray jets 69 and thence by centrifugal force onto the pipe wall, it being understood that'the tubular shaft 58, to which said jets are connected, rotates with the shaft coupling pin connection 57.

If desired, a separate drive unit may be provided for applying the liquid material to the coated pipe wall and I have sho'wn such a modification in FigureA 10, wherein 'I2 indicates the fluid supply tube corresponding to the hollow shaft 58 of the previously described construction and having ports '73 at its discharge end which communicate with a revolving spray head or chamber 74 having one or more jets '75 at its periphery.

This spray head is revolved at a high speed by a self-contained driving mechanism preferably in the form of an electric motor mounted on the read end of the supply tube 72 and including a stator element 76 and a rotor element 77 to which said spray head is connected. In its side the annular spray head has an opening '18 which allows air to be admitted thereto for augmenting its spraying action and which also permits of cleaning or washing the interior of the head when necessary.

In addition to the trowels 50 I preferably provide auxiliary or finishing trowels 79 which are disposed in trailing relation to said troWels 50 and may be oilset relative thereto to smooth out any marks or ridges left by the main trowels. As seen in Figure 5, each auxiliary trowel is carried by a yieldable arm or shank 80 fixed at its inner end to the corresponding trowel-carrying leverl arm 47. The yieldability of the shank 80 constantly urges the trowel against the pipe-wall blades or adjoining portions contact with the finishing trowel or its shank kand likewise draw the same from the pipe wall. l

The means for guiding the carriage in a pre` and when the main trowels are contracted their 4 withdetermined course through the/pipe line 'areso v designed as to automatically maintain the machine in a pre-set course with its coatingmaterial dispensing head `disposed axiallyy of the pipeA line even though the machine traction wheels 12 are displaced somewhat atan angle .to thehorizontal, as depicted in Figure 6, as when it is desired that such wheels clear the row of rivets or like obstructions present .in thepipe line, so that the machine will travel smoothly therethrough and will not bump along and interferewith the coating operation of the` pipe.v Suchv means preferably consist,- as shown in Figures l. 3, 6 and 7, of a manually-controlled, laterally shiftable steering lever 81 pivoted at 82 to the front end of the carriage-frame 11 and traversing a quadrant 83 which serves to hold the lever` in a pre-set position, Depending from the free end of the lever and pivoted at 84 toa' hanger 85 suspended therefrom is a laterally-swinging pendant'bar or pendulum 86 having a weight 87 v at its lower end which tends constantly` to mainl tain said bar in a vertical position, and which is operatively connected, as by a rod 88, to the 'i0 steering wheel fork 14. By this construction, whilethe machine may be steered to clear, say a row of rivets in the pipe line, the pendulum will act automatically through said rod 88 to return the wheel-fork to its normal position and thereafter maintain the wheel 13 in a straight course even though the machine maybe horizontal and radiallyof the pipe'.

I claim as my invention:

l. An apparatus for lining pipe walls, comprising a supporting frame having a feed conduit applied thereto and adapted for communication-'v at one end with a source of coating material,a.

tilted tothe revolving dispensing member 'disposed at -the discharge end of said conduit for delivering'y the material to. the pipe wall, means for conducting the material through the conduit to said 'dispensing member, a retractable revolving trowel 'for smoothing down the materialafter it'has -been D deposited on the pipe-wall, and means for shifting said trowel into and out of engagement with the pipe-wall including :n actuating member extending through said conduit and having an operating handle at one end and means at its opposite end connected with said trowel. 4

2.` An apparatus for lining pipe-walls, comprising a supporting frame having a feed conduit applied thereto and adapted for communication at one end with a` source of coating material, a revolving dispensing member disposed l at the discharge end of said conduit for delivering the material to the pipe-Wall, means for conducting the material through the conduit to said dispensing member, a retractable revolvingA trowel for smoothing down the material after it has been deposited on the pipe-wall, and means for shifting said trowel into and out of engagement with the pipe-wall including an actuating member extending through said conduit for laxial movement relative thereto and having an operating,T handle at one end thereof, and means at the opposite end of said member and operatively connected to said trowel for actuating the same,

in response to the movements of said actuating member, into and out of operative engagement with the pipe-wall.

,at the discharge end of said conduit for delivering the material to the pipe-wall, means for conducting the material through the conduit to said dispensing member, oppositelyk revolving arms disposed in adjoining relation beyond said dispensing member and having retractable trowels applied thereto for smoothing down the material after it has been applied to the pipe-wall, a reciprocating actuating element extending axially through said conduit and having an operating handle at one end for controlling its movement, and means at the opposite end of said actuating element including connections to said trowels for shifting them into and out of operative engagement with the pipe-wall.

4. An apparatus for lining pipe-walls, comprising a supporting frame having a feed conduit applied thereto and adapted for communication at one end with a source of coating material, a revolving dispensing member disposed at the discharge end of said conduit for delivering the material to the pipe-wall, means for conducting the material through the conduit to said dispensing member, a revolving retractable trowel disposed beyond said dispensing member for smoothing down the material after it has been deposited on the pipewall, a combined reciprocating actuating element and feed.tube for a uid material extending axially through said conduit and terminating at its discharge end beyond said trowel in a spray nozzle for applying said fluid material to the coated pipe-wall, and means at the opposite end of said actuating element including connections to said trowel for shifting it into and out of operative engagement with the pipe-wall.

5. An apparatus for lining pipe-walls, comprising a supporting frame having a feed conduit applied thereto and adapted foicommunication at one end with a source of coating material, a revolving dispensing member disposed at the discharge end of said conduit for delivering the material to the pipe-wall, means for conducting the material through the conduit to said dispensing member, oppositely revolving arms disposed in adjoining relation beyond said dispensing member and having retractable trowels applied thereto for smothing down the material after it has been applied to the pipe-Wall, a feed tube for a fluid material extending axially through said conduit for axial movement relative thereto, said tube having an operating handle at one end for controlling its movement and means adjacent the opposite end thereof including connections to said trowels for shifting them into and out of operative engagement with the pipe-wall, said tube terminating beyond said trowel-shiftable means in a spray nozzle for applying said fluid material to the coated pipe-wall.

6. In an apparatus of the character described, a. rotatable members, a lever pivoted to said member to swing substantially in the plane thereof,

a trowel applied to said lever, and cam-like means movable in a direction axially of said rotatable :,osasao trowel applied to said lever, a substantially conical-shaped actuating cam movable in a direction axially of said rotatable member, and a contact element engaging said actuating member and operatively connected to said trowel-carrying lever to swing the same radially toward and from the axis of said rotatable member.

8. In an apparatus of the character described, a rotatable member, a lever pivoted to said member to swing substantially in the piane thereof, a trowel applied to said lever, a substantially conical-shaped actuating cam movable in a direction axially of said rotatable member, a contact element engaging said actuating member and operativen! connected to said trowel-carrying lever to swing the same radially toward and from the axis of said rotatable member, means for reciprocating said actuating member axially relatively to said rotatable member, and means for yieldingly urging the trowel-carrying portion of said lever in an outward direction. Y c

9. A troweling mechanism for pipe-coating apparatus, comprising an axially-shiftable support, a member rotatably mounted thereon, a lever pivoted to said member to swing toward and from the pipe-wall and having a trowelv applied thereto, a substantially conical-shaped cam mounted on said member and connected to said axial support for axially shifting movement therewith, oscillatory means applied to said rotatable member and in bearing contact with said cam at one end and operatively connected at its other end to said trowel-carrying lever, and means for actuating said axially-shiftable support in one direction or the other to swing said lever toward and from the pipe-wall.

10. A troweling mechanism for pipe-coating apparatus, comprising an axially-shiftable support, a' member rotatably mounted thereon, a lever pivoted to said member to swing toward and from the pipe-wall and having a trowel applied thereto, a substantially conical-shaped cam mounted on said member and connected to said axial support for axial shifting movement therewith, a second lever fulcrumed on said rotatable member and having one arm thereof in contact with said cam to be actuated thereby and the other arm being link-connected to the trowelcarrying lever, and means for actuating said axially-shiftable support in one direction or the other to bring the trowel into and out of engagement with the pipe-wall.

l1. A troweling mechanism for pipe-coating apparatus, comprising a pair of oppositely rotatable members, trowels applied to said members, respectively, for movement into and out of engagement with the pipe-wall, and means for simultaneously shifting said trowels into Vand out of engagement with the pipe-wall.

12. A troweling mechanism for pipe-coating apparatus, comprising a pair of oppositely rotatable members, trowels applied to said members, respectively, for movement into and out of engagement with the pipe-wall, and complementary inter-engaging cam and rocker means for shifting said trowels into and out of engagement with the pipe-wall.

13. A troweling mechanism for pipe-coating apparatus, comprising a pair of oppositely rotatable members, trowels applied to said members, respectively, for movement into and out of engagementwith the pipe-wall, and complementary inter-engaging cam and rocker means for shifting said trowels into and out of engagement with the pipe-wall, said cam being disposed for movement in a direction axially of said rotatable members and said rocker means being oscillated thereby in a plane at substantially right angles to such axis to actuate the trowels.

14. In an apparatus of the character described. the combination of a rotatable hollow shaft mounted for limited axial movement in opposite directions and adapted for communication at one end with a source of uid material and provided at its opposite end with a spray jet for delivering such material onto a pipe-wall, a member rotatably mounted on said shaft and havingl a retractable trowel applied thereto for movement into and out of engagement with the pipe wall, means for manually shifting the hollow shaft, and means governed by the axial movement of said hollow shaft for controlling the movement of said trowel.

15. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a rotatable hollow shaft mounted for limited axial movement in opposite directions and adapted for communication at one end with a source of uid material and provided at its opposite end with a spray Jet for delivering such material onto a pipe-wall, a member rotatably mounted on said shaft and having a retractable trowel applied thereto for movement into and out of engagement with the pipe wall, means for manually shifting the hollow shaft, and means governed by the axial movement of said hollow shaft for controlling the movement of said trowel consisting of a substantially conical element surrounding said shaft and movable axially therewith, and a crosswise swinging rocker fulcrumed on said rotatable member and contacting at one end with said conical element and connected at its other end to said trowel.

16. A troweling mechanism for Y pipe coating apparatus, comprising a rotatable member, a lever pivoted thereto to swing crosswise of the pipe, a main trowel applied to said lever, and an auxiliary'trowel pivoted to said rotatable member and having its blade in trailing relation to the bladeof said main trowel.

17. A troweling mechanism for pipe coating apparatus. comprising a rotatable member, a lever pivoted thereto to swing crosswise of the pipe, a main trowel applied to said lever, means for yieldingly urging said trowel-carrying lever in a direction toward the pipe-wall, and an auxiliary trowel pivoted to said rotatable member and having its blade in trailing relation to the blade of said main trowel, the auxiliary trowel having a yieldable shank in contact with said lever to be urged thereby toward the pipe-wall.

18. The combination with a pipe coating ma.- chine including a wheeled carriage adapted to travel through the pipe and having a revolvable discharge head for delivering the coating material onto the pipe wall, and means for guiding said carriage through the pipe and maintaining said discharge head axially of the pipe, said means consisting of a caster wheel disposed centrally at one end of the carriage, a laterallyswinging adjusting lever, and a pendulum-like element suspended from said lever to swing laterally and operatively connected to said wheel to maintain the machine in a definite pre-set course through the pipe.

19, The combination with a pipe coating machine having traction wheels at one end and a centrally disposed steering wheel at its other end including a swivel supporting frame therefor having a steering rod projecting therefrom, of a horizontally swinging lever pivoted centrally of said frame and having a hanger depending from its `free end,` a pendulum fulcrumed on said hanger to swing laterally and operatively connected below its fulcrum to said steering rod to automatically maintain thesteering-wheel in a straight set position.

ALBERT G. PERKINS. 

